Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I-R.I.) told CNSNews.com on Wednesday that his administration calls the decorated evergreen tree erected in the Rhode Island State House in December a “holiday tree”–rather than a “Christmas tree”–because that is what the tree is traditionally called.

CNSNews.com spoke with Chafee following his remarks at the National Governors Association national summit in Arlington, Va.

“You have taken some recent criticism about changing the name of the State House tree to a holiday tree,” asked CNSNews.com. “Would you say that you believe in Christmas?”

“Well, first of all, get your facts straight,” said Chafee. “You said that I changed the name. That is not accurate. When last year–my first year in office–when the whole–”